Headlines
ALDE supports an ambitious and global trade agreement with the United States of America
 The European Parliament on May 23 gave its full support for the rapid commencement of negotiations in view of a trade and investment agreement with the United States. The resolution gives the European Commission a negotiating mandate to negotiate an ambitious and comprehensive trade and investment partnership between the world's two largest markets. ALDE is committed to ensuring that negotiations take place in a transparent manner and request that Parliament be informed at every stage.
No Single Supervisory Mechanism until an agreement is reached with the ECB
 During the May Strasbourg plenary session the European Parliament voted on the deal reached with Council last March on a Single Supervisory Mechanism (SSM), the first building block of the Banking union. The Parliament though decided to hold the final vote adopting this proposal until an agreement is reached with the ECB ensuring due democratic accountability of the ECB's supervisory arm. The ALDE group decided to further keep pressure on the ECB also by abstaining to the report as amended.
EU action plan urgently needed to ease catastrophic Syrian refugee crisis
 For the last two years, the international community has stood by as Syrians are increasingly being crushed between the brutal actions of the Assad regime and extremist groups. There are now seven million Syrians that rely on aid. 4,5 million Syrians are internally displaced and the amount of refugees in Turkey, Lebanon and Jordan is expected to rise to 3,5 million in the coming months. The European Parliament, on the initiative of Marietje Schaake (D66, Netherlands), adopted on May 23 a resolution on the urgent humanitarian crisis and how to deal with Syrian refugees in neighbouring countries.
ALDE continue to strongly support EU membership for Iceland
 Reacting to statements made by a spokesperson for the new coalition government in Iceland announcing that no further negotiation will be held with the European Union and Iceland on future EU membership without a prior referendum, Hans Van Baalen (VVD, NL), spokesperson on Iceland for the ALDE Group in the European parliament, made the following statement:
"The Liberal Democrat Group in the European Parliament strongly supports EU membership for Iceland. With its strong and old democracy it will be an asset to the EU..."
European Parliament rejects Czech 'opt-out' on charter of fundamental rights
 On the proposal of Andrew DUFF (Lib Dem, UK), ALDE coordinator in the Constitutional Affairs Committee, the European Parliament called on the European Council to reject a request to amend the Treaty of Lisbon which would weaken the force and limit the application of the Charter of Fundamental Rights in the Czech Republic. With a vote of 574 to 82 and 24 abstentions, MEPs for the first time used their right not to support an amendment of the EU treaties.
Free movement for pets across Europe
Ferrets, dogs and cats have gained on May 23 greater opportunities to travel across EU borders. MEPs have given their support to changes in the law providing for the movement of non-commercial pet animals.
The new arrangements are built on the success of 'pets passports' legislation approved a decade ago.
Member States must endorse an EU strategy against tax fraud, evasion and tax havens
Ahead of the May EU Summit, due to focus on tax fraud and tax evasion, the European Parliament adopted its own recommendations that all Member States should endorse a common European strategy against tax fraud, evasion and havens.
ALDE spokesperson on the subject Theodoros Skylakakis (Greece) said: "Reality must take precedence over mere lip-service. Evaders exploit the respective Member States' national tax legislation loopholes. If they don't start taking concrete action, they will just serve as accomplice".
Media freedom and pluralism: Commission must take all EP recommendations on board
 Member States and the Commission should take appropriate measures to ensure better monitoring and enforcement of media freedom and pluralism across the EU, given that this right has become legally binding with the entry into force of the Charter of Fundamental Rights (Article 11 (2)), according to a report by ALDE MEP Renate Weber on standard settings for media freedom across the EU, adopted during the Strasbourg May plenary session of the European Parliament.
EU leaders must address growing euroscepticism caused by crisis
 "EU leaders tomorrow need to produce actions not more words and address the issues that are giving rise to increased euroscepticism across the EU," said Guy Verhofstadt in a debate in the May Strasbourg plenary session ahead of the EU summit on tax havens and energy policy.
Freed Chinese dissident launches Transatlantic Human Rights Link
 The blind Chinese activist who escaped house arrest and whose freedom in the USA was organised by former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, has marked the anniversary by launching a transatlantic project for parliamentarians to adopt individual human rights defenders worldwide.
Recovery and Resolution Directive (RRD): Protection of small depositors guaranteed
 On May 20th the European Parliament's Economic and Monetary Affairs committee adopted its report on an EU framework for bank recovery and resolution, which aims to provide Member States' relevant authorities with common and effective tools to address the banking crisis and eventually the orderly winding up of insolvent institutions, to safeguard financial stability and to minimise taxpayers' exposure to losses.
Europe needs a future proof Audio Visual Media Services Directive
 ALDE, the group of Liberals and Democrats in the European Parliament during the May Strasbourg plenary session voted against the Borys report on the implementation of media regulation in the EU. We denounce the lack of an innovative, future-oriented approach to tackle the important challenges that technological changes impose. In today's rapidly changing media landscape, legislation needs to adapt to internet-driven changes such as Connected TV, bringing together internet and broadcasting.
Mali: International donor support only effective if elections deliver stable government
Leading ALDE MEP Louis Michel (MR, Belgium), who has been recently nominated as Head of the EU's observer mission for the presidential elections in Mali says that the forthcoming elections are a vital opportunity to start rebuilding this broken State.
Following yesterday's donor conference in Brussels- co-hosted by the EU and France, which saw pledges of over 3.25 billion euros to rebuild Mali, M. Michel said: "The funds pledged yesterday to rebuild Mali are vital but only as long as there is good and stable government. The presidential and legislative elections scheduled for 28 July next are the first step towards the return to stable democracy...."
Combatting Homophobia: time for concrete actions long overdue
 May 17th is the International Day against Homophobia and also marks the 23rd year since the World Health Organization (WHO) deleted homosexuality from the international list of classified diseases. Unfortunately though lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people worldwide still suffer from discrimination, persecution and violence. The ALDE group reiterates its commitment to combat this persistent hatred both in Europe and in the wider world
Rethinking education to address the skills gap
 Even amid the economic crisis, Europe is facing acute shortage of skilled labour. Parallel with the unemployment queues, an estimated 2 million unfilled jobs are available across Europe. While the problem has traditionally been linked to low-skilled jobs, filling jobs in high-skill sectors, such as engineering and IT, is also becoming increasingly challenging. Europe can only end the crisis and resume growth if it delivers the right skills for the future. But European education and training systems need investment, updating and reform if the right skills for employability are to be delivered.
Window of opportunity opens up for Ukraine
 On the same day the European Commission has given the green light to the Council for the signature of the Association Agreement with Ukraine, ALDE hosted a "Ukraine day" to discuss the current situation in the country.
Leonidas Donskis who organized this event said "Today's decision of the European Commission, despite it being technical in nature, sends a strong political message to the Ukraine authorities that the Association Agreement is not an association with corrupt officials or dysfunctional judiciary , it is an association with and for the Ukrainian people."
Road transport: smart tachographs for greater competition and safety
 On May 14th the European Parliament, Council and Commission reached a second reading agreement on the new technical standards for digital tachographs used to record and monitor driving times, breaks, and rest periods of professional drivers for both goods and passenger transport. The idea behind the introduction of 'smart' tachographs which are integrated with the GNSS and other Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) applications within Europe is to ensure a level playing field and proper working conditions for drivers.
The future of the Common Fisheries Policy hangs in the balance
 Following a marathon Fisheries Council meeting to establish a mandate for further negotiations with the European Parliament on the reform of the Common Fisheries Policy, the Council is moving towards Parliament's position but the deal is still not done according to ALDE MEPs.
Pat the Cope Gallagher (FF, Ireland), ALDE shadow on the basic regulation of the CFP commented during the meeting: "I would like to pay tribute to the Presidency for their work in progressing this extremely important policy within the Council of Ministers. The new mandate will allow the Irish Presidency to resume negotiations with the European Parliament. It appears that some of the Parliament important issues have been addressed by Council."
EU needs stronger instruments to tackle cross-border organised crime
 After months of work since its establishment in March 2012, the European Parliament's Special Committee on organised crime, corruption and money laundering (CRIM), chaired by ALDE MEP Sonia Alfano, adopted on May 7th its first interim report which includes preliminary recommendations on action and initiatives to be taken both at international, European and national levels.
MEPS back lower CO2 emission levels in vans
Members of the European Parliament's Environment, Public Health and Food Safety Committee approved on May 7 a report on the Commission's legislative proposal amending the Regulation to define the modalities for reaching the 2020 target to reduce CO2 emissions from new light commercial vehicles (Vans).
The report confirms the 2020 target as defined in legislation adopted in 2011 and defines the modalities for reaching this target and includes key issues such as emission limit values, phasing requirements, method of calculating a carmaker's average emissions, long-term targets, eco-innovations and implementation.
EU must take bold step towards Magnitsky visa ban list http://alde.eu/press/press-and-release-news/press-release/article/eu-must-take-bold-step-towards-magnitsky-visa-ban-list-41051/
The Irish Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee has adopted a resolution stating that the Irish Presidency will highlight their concern and that of the international community about the death of Russian lawyer Sergei Magnitsky but it has backed down from sanctioning Russian officials involved in his death.
Guy Verhofstadt, ALDE Leader in the European Parliament made the following statement:
"I strongly welcome the decision by the Irish Parliament to use its Presidency of the European Council to highlight the case of Sergei Magnitsky. I am confident that the Irish Presidency will relay these concerns to the next European Council and consequently to the EU-Russia Summit. "
Potential bee killer pesticides banned by EU
 A chemical implicated in the recent rapid decline of bee numbers has been banned by the European Commission as Member States remained divided on the matter.
Chris Davies (UK, Lib Dem), ALDE environment spokesperson has been campaigning for neonicotinoids to be banned since evidence first started being reported that the controversial pesticide could be causing bee colonies to die.
ALDE secures mandatory rotation for audit firms
Thanks to crucial ALDE backing, the need to establish time limits on the contractual relationship between auditors and their clients was approved by MEPs on the Legal Affairs committee of the European Parliament by a majority of 15 in favour, 10 against, with no abstentions.
Europe needs a new narrative to counter euroscepticism
Recent Eurobarometer figures show a decline in support for the European project. Sixty years after the start of this project, Europe has to regain confidence of its citizens. An updated version of the European story is necessary to reinterpret its existing 'raison d'être' of peace through a common market.
No EU PNR before Data Protection Rules are firmly in place
 The majority of the European Parliament's Civil Liberties Committee voting during an April committee meeting rejected the draft Directive on the use of airline Passenger Name Record data (PNR) within the EU, proposed by the Commission in February 2011. According to the ALDE members, the EU PNR proposal, as it stands, does not incorporate all the requests made by the Parliament in 2010, raises concerns regarding its conformity to fundamental rights and disregards the current shaping of an EU Data protection directive.
ALDE backs better protection for home buyers
 After months of negotiations, on April 22nd an agreement was reached between the European Parliament, Council and Commission on the Mortgage Credit Directive which aims to create a level playing field where minimum harmonisation requirements will apply to all EU countries and, most importantly, consumers will be guaranteed due protection.
ALDE lead on Single Seat election pledge
At a April 23rd public hearing hosted by the ALDE group and organised by the cross-party campaign for a Single Seat, participants from all major political groupings will be asked to endorse a statement committing to pursue the campaign in their election manifestos for the European Parliament next year.
Minimum EU standards for asylum will end current lottery between Member States
 The European Parliament's Civil Liberties Committee confirmed on April 24 the agreement reached with Council on two pieces of legislation which are part of the EU Asylum package. One text updates the rules governing the functioning of a database of asylum seeker fingerprints (also known as Eurodac) and its access by police authorities. The second text deals with the setting up of common EU procedures to process the asylum applications in order to overcome the current discrepancies in Member States (also known as Procedures Directive). ALDE welcomes the endorsement of these two important asylum instruments because it paves the way for the final adoption in plenary, normally in June, of the whole Asylum package.
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Open Door Days Brussels and Strasbourg ( May 4 and 19)
The ALDE Group once again enjoyed a very successful European Open Door Day both in Brussels, 4 May and in Strasbourg, 19 May. In Brussels ALDE Staff, greatly assisted by our current interns, had the chance to meet and greet the visitors, who in turn had the opportunity to have their photographs taken and printed on personalised 'ALDE on your side' t-shirts. More than 2500 visitors passed by our stand and left with smile, a t-shirt and little more knowledge of who we are.
In Strasbourg more than 24,000 visitors passed through the European Parliament and the ALDE Stand, a record number by all accounts. The ALDE Staff were on hand throughout the day to answer any questions the public had about our Group, and were very impressed with the interest the general public had in the affairs of the European Parliament.
The 8th ALDEPAC Annual Conference "Africa and the Challenges of Urban Sustainability" Lilongwe, Malawi 25-28 April.
THE NEW "BABEL" OF THE METROPOLIS
The European and African Liberals and Democrats focused on Urban Sustainability through good governance and local democracy. Today about 70% of humanity lives in cities and in particular the African continent has experienced massive urban growth in recent decades. Forecasts indicate that between 2010 and 2025, some African cities will represent up to 85% of their countries population. Roughly 800 million people worldwide live in slums, many of them in Africa. The cities are exploding and becoming complex entities that face major challenges: mobility, waste, crime, work, parallel economy, corruption, taxation, zoning, medical services and schools. On a community level there are divisions between rich and poor neighbourhoods, inexistent interaction with immigrants, homeless, abandoned children - all this reflecting the new "Babel" of the Metropolis.
At Lilongwe we discussed at length with African experts the challenges of urban sustainability requiring decentralization, popular participation, transparency and much optimism. More specifically we addressed: land management, public-private partnerships, investments, environmental issues and the promotion of durable eco-tourism, resilience against hardships and the key-partnership of urbanisation and culture
The Conference was officially opened by the Speaker of the Malawi Parliament, Hon. Henry Chimunthu Banda and closed by H.E.K. Hastings Kachali, Vice President of the Republic of Malawi.
The meeting was attended by Parliamentarians from 40 different African countries including Ministers from Kenya, Zimbabwe, Senators, Mayors, representatives from UN-HABITAT, the African Development Bank, the European Investment Bank and the Africa Regional Director of our Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom, Hubertus Von Welck.
Meetings with EU Ambassadors and with Malawi NGOs were organised and the third ALDEPAC book "TOWARDS A PAN-AFRICAN LIBERAL MANIFESTO" was presented.
Members of the ALDE Group, Niccolò Rinaldi, Marielle De Sarnez, Hans van Baalen, Nathalie Griesbeck and Catherine Bearder greatly contributed to the success of this conference.
ALDE "BOOST SME" CAMPAIGN NEWSLETTER May 2013
Reporting back...
The trilogue negotiations on the COSME programme, made to support SMEs across Europe (and a constant feature in our newsletter), are expected to come to an end soon. Having said that, its most important aspect is subject to tough negotiations on the Multiannual Financial Framework, the budget of COSME having already is reduced by 350 million Euros (15%). A week ago, SME campaign host Jürgen Creutzmann, along with his colleagues in the SME Intergroup wrote an open letter calling on the EP chief negotiator Alain Lamassoure "to ensure that COSME is properly financed."
In the Parliament….
In its report assessing the ECB activities for 2011, the European Parliament endorsed an ALDE amendment at its April plenary session, calling on the Central bank to directly intervene in helping SMEs against the current and serious credit crunch they are facing in several Member States. Especially in Southern Europe, the crisis is undermining the financial foundations of many SMEs. ALDE rapporteur on the report, Ramon Tremosa who tabled the amendment said: "We don't have a monetary union if competitive SMEs in some Member States have to shut down because credit is scarce and falling. We also don't have a monetary union if SMEs in some Member States have to shut down because they pay between 4 and 8% more for a loan than similar SMEs in other parts of the euro zone. This difference has become structural".
The negotiations on the European Regional Development Funds in the Regions Parliamentary Committee illustrate the difficult struggle for SMEs. First, the Commission proposal envisaged that only SMEs could be eligible under ERDF investment priorities. Then the Council's negotiating mandate said that all enterprises (large and small) should be able to access money available under the innovation/research (ERDF art. 5.1) investment priorities. ALDE's initiative to support the extension of eligibility for large companies with the condition that the focus was kept on SMEs, was at first endorsed by almost all groups. However, during the trilogue negotiations in March, the EPP rapporteur and the S&D coordinator agreed to support the Council's proposal. Until the committee vote in July and the plenary vote due in October, ALDE will continue the fight to persuade the other groups to return the focus back to SMEs.
In the Commission…
The results of DG Enterprise's public consultation on the TOP 10 most burdensome legislative acts for SMEs were published earlier this spring. On the basis of 1000 questionnaires it shows in what ways 'Brussels' really gives SMEs problems. On top: problems with the REACH regulation on chemicals and with transnational VAT. This survey is a step in the right direction Commissioner Tajani. Now ALDE will be on your side to tackle those problems!
The link to the final report:
http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/policies/sme/files/top10report-final_en.pdf
Coming up...
In an earlier edition, we claimed that Munich was also the place for our next 'Boost SME' conference - but this will now take place 150 km north in Nürnberg! On the 9th of June, representatives of small and medium sized enterprises will discuss liberal SME politics with ALDE members. Hosted by FDP MEPs Nadja Hirsch and Jürgen Creutzmann panellists (a.o. Olle Schmidt, Philippe de Backer and the Bavarian minister for Economy Martin Zeil) will deal with the three main targets of our SME campaign (reverse side) and discuss the "Shortage of skilled workers, recognition of foreign qualifications, reconciliation of family and work, the integration of women into the labor market". For more information, please contact Karin Sauerteig.
An overall boost for SMEs is appearing on the horizon. If the negotiations with the United States on a transatlantic free trade agreement succeed, both the EU and the US economies are expected to profit widely - and with them small and medium sized enterprises. As a first step the plenary is set to adopt its mandate for the negotiations on 23rd May.
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Hans van Baalen (VVD, the Netherlands)
Hans van Baalen was born on June 17th 1960 in Rotterdam. He studied International Law and International Relations at the Leyden University. He served in the Royal Netherlands Army and currently holds the rank of Reserve Colonel.
Before entering politics, Mr. Van Baalen worked as a journalist and was director of Public Affairs Consultants Deloitte, Touche Tohmatsu. He was International Secretary of VVD and served as campaign manager to Frits Bolkestein and Gerrit Zalm in the 1998 and 2002 general elections. From 1999 to 2009 Van Baalen was Member of the Netherlands Parliament. He was Member of the European Convention and of the Parliamentary Assemblies of the Council of Europe and of NATO.
Hans became a member of the European Parliament in 2009. He is also leader of the VVD delegation and a member of the ALDE bureau. In 2009 Van Baalen was elected President of Liberal International, the world federation of liberal political parties.
In the European Parliament he is a Member of the Foreign Affairs Committee and the ALDE co-ordinator for the Sub-Committee for Security and Defence. He is also Chairman of the Japan Delegation and a Member of the Delegations for relations with the United States and Afghanistan.
On behalf of the ALDE group, Van Baalen is the shadow rapporteur for the Ukraine, Iceland and Belarus. He is actively involved in free trade issues (Japan, Latin America). As President of Liberal International he actively participates in ALDEPAC, ALDELAT, ALDECALD and the Arab Alliance for Freedom and Democracy (AAFD). Van Baalen will lead the VVD in the European elections in 2014.
Hans van Baalen lives in the Hague with his wife Ineke Sybesma, (director of the Victim Support Fund in The Netherlands) and their young son Robert.
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